Work to build Reading’ s biggest cycle parking hub - with space for around 600 bicycles - began this week.

Reading Borough Council’s new hub will be on the north side of Reading Station , next to Vastern Road and near the multi-story car park.

The facility will be lit and completely covered to protect bikes from bad weather.

When complete it will allow an easy transition between bike and train for regular commuters.

Work on the new cycle facility started on Monday, February 22 and is the latest improvements around Reading Station.

These include new interchanges to the north and south, new taxi facilities, ReadyBike docking stations, a new road layout for Vastern Road and a joint pedestrian and cycle “toucan crossing” leading directly to the north side of the station.

The positioning of the new cycle parking facility is also intended to complement Reading Borough Council’s new pedestrian and cycle bridge from Christchurch Meadows to Norman Place which provides a new cycle route from Caversham into Reading Station and the town centre.

Work on the new hub is expected to be completed towards the end of March.

It is being funded through the Local Sustainable Transport Fund.

Councillor Tony Page , lead member for strategic environment, planning and transport, said: “The creation of new parking for 600 bikes on the north side of Reading Station is yet another piece in the council’s jigsaw of creating easy, sustainable travel choices for people.

“Many thousands of people use the station every day, with as many people commuting into Reading as commuting out.

“We want to make the transition between bike and train as simple as possible to encourage more people to cycle.

“The new cycle parking will be easily accessible, whether people are approaching from the north and across the council’s new pedestrian and cycle bridge, or from the town centre side, where they can use the underpass to get to the new cycle hub. There is also additional cycle parking on the south side of the station with spaces for 420 bikes.

“In the future, an even more direct route from the pedestrian and cycle bridge to the station may be possible with the re-development of nearby sites.”

Preparation works for the new cycle hub began in November, including adjustments to an electricity cable.

Green councillor Rob White sees the plan as good news and bad news.

He said: "More cycle parking is definitely needed, but on both sides of the station.

"The council needs to accelerate its plans for more cycle parking on the south side of the station.

"Suggestions that cyclists can use the underpass to access the new cycle parking on the north side adds insult to injury as the council has banned cycling through the underpass."